The MA in Global Media and Postnational Communication starts from three premises. One is that globalization is a set of complex and dense processes with unequal effects in different parts of the world but sufficiently strong to invite analysis of a post-national spatiality of global social relations. The second is that central to these processes is the role of communications technologies as infrastructure and skeins of connectivity and the circulation of mediated products that structure competing social imaginaries. The third is the growing convergence between the previously separable areas of broadcasting, telecommunications and the Internet, so that study of the current moment needs to address not just conventional media (press, radio, television) but also the explosion in new communication technologies, including the Internet, satellite technologies and mobile telephony. Thus the remit of this degree is the study of the dynamics of globalization and its critiques, and the roles and nature of communications technologies and mediated content within these processes and the consequent changes in the nature of political, economic, financial, social and cultural activity.

The specific and unique focus of this degree will be its exploration of the responses to globalization in the South and the dynamic developments in media and communications within Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It examines the growing significance of Asia, Africa and the Middle East as the locations of new media players and new cultural genres, of complex audience involvements with mediated communication and as the sites of critical and creative responses to globalization processes.

It is not only media content that circulates but people themselves who move, and one aspect of this degree is to take seriously the development and use of mediated forms by minority ethnic, diasporic, exilic and refugee populations, be that in minority television channels, deterritorialized political action or other forms of cultural and political representation. Additionally, reactions to globalization and its more problematic outcomes increasingly take on postnational forms so the course will explore the dynamics of global civil society and the use of ICTs to build movements of solidarity.

Structure

SOAS Units

Each student takes 4 units in total: the Compulsory Course (1 unit), the Dissertation (1unit), two List 3 half units, and one unit of Options of their choice.

In choosing their courses, MA students are advised to pay careful attention to the balance of coursework across the two terms. In particular it is important to ensure that each term you have three taught courses. However much you might wish to take a mixture of courses that requires more coursework in one term than the other, it is most unwise to attempt to take four courses in one term and two in the other. Experience has shown that students simply cannot manage the load during the heavy term with the result that they either do very badly, fail or are unable to complete the courses in question. As a result Directors of Studies for the degrees and the Faculty staff will not approve a selection of courses which results in an imbalanced workload. An imbalance of courses between terms is only possible with the written permission of the convenor of the degree .

Programme Specification

Teaching & Learning

Destinations

A postgraduate degree in Media from SOAS gives students expertise in media, communications and film production within a global framework. It is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate. Media and Film Studies students develop a portfolio of transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and creative capacities including communication skills, interpersonal skills, team work, flexibility and dedication. Department graduates have gone into a wide range of careers and to complete research degrees.

Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including: